The decorative arts are a French speciality. The magazine AD has long been very involved in promoting them through its AD Intérieurs event, which will have been showcasing the talent of renowned interior designers for five years in September. Now it wants to highlight the work of exceptional furniture designers. The AD Collections exhibition is dedicated to high-quality objects and furniture made of noble materials and produced in small numbers.

The event takes place from 26 March to 5 April 2015 in the Palace of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development. Whether they are craftspeople, decorators or designers working for major luxury houses, the 50 talents selected by the editorial team will each present three new, significant pieces from their range. That means 150 creations will be available for visitors to discover in a scenography developed by Studio Adrien Gardère. The exhibition is produced with the support of the bank Neuflize OBC.

The salons on the garden level of the Quai d’Orsay Palace of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development look out over the Seine and are representative of the wealth of decorative arts of the Second Empire period. They were designed from the outset to receive foreign sovereigns and diplomats and were decorated with works by artists including Lavigne, Séchan and Liénard. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has occupied the building since the mid-19th century. Laurent Fabius agreed to host this initiative by AD and the Condé Nast group, which matches the priorities of France’s cultural diplomacy. In terms of outreach, this exhibition will reflect the wealth and vitality of French creation, which the Ministry promotes worldwide. By showcasing the excellence of French craftspeople, Laurent Fabius aims to underline the fact that French culture is central to France’s attractiveness.